making a self watering seed tray

jlwalke12 · May 22, 2012

Does anyone here know how to make a self watering seed tray? I like the ones from Burpees that use a capillary mat but they are way too expensive when you want to grow a lot of seeds.

AdrianaG · August 14, 2015

It's easy. You need:
1. A shallow plastic tote big enough to hold the number of pots or a seed tray
2. A piece of styrofoam that fits in the tote (blue board or pink board is good or look around for shipping coolers)
3. Some felt

Cut the foam 1" smaller than the inside of the tote.
Cut the felt the same length as the styrofoam and 8" wider
Fill the tote with 3-4" of water
Float the styrofoam on top
Soak the felt, then drape it on the foam so that it hangs evenly over the sides into the water
Put your pots or flats on the foam.
Water completely to the point of runoff to establish the capillary connection.

May 22, 2012	#1
jlwalke12 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 29	making a self watering seed tray Does anyone here know how to make a self watering seed tray? I like the ones from Burpees that use a capillary mat but they are way too expensive when you want to grow a lot of seeds.

August 14, 2015	#2
AdrianaG Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Georgia Posts: 153	It's easy. You need: 1. A shallow plastic tote big enough to hold the number of pots or a seed tray 2. A piece of styrofoam that fits in the tote (blue board or pink board is good or look around for shipping coolers) 3. Some felt Cut the foam 1" smaller than the inside of the tote. Cut the felt the same length as the styrofoam and 8" wider Fill the tote with 3-4" of water Float the styrofoam on top Soak the felt, then drape it on the foam so that it hangs evenly over the sides into the water Put your pots or flats on the foam. Water completely to the point of runoff to establish the capillary connection.